Dreaming of New Structures: Notes for Art in Everyday Life

This publication is the culmination of the artist talk and workshop Reimagining Institutions: Publishing as a Civic Practice by Melanie Yugo, part of Hypercolour Futures Experimental Publishing School in Ottawa, Canada, on August 14, 2025.

Participants were incited to think critically about art and cultural institutions, structures and systems based on a framework for art as a public good, social and civic practices, and non-Western and collectivist logics. Publishing as a process beyond object-making was subsequently explored. Through a series of collective and individual brainstorming, reflection and writing activities, each participant created statements for a near future where communities are better served and art and culture is integrated into everyday life. 

What emerged from this gathering is Dreaming of New Structures: Notes for Art in Everyday Life, which brings together their collective statements and thought experiments in manifesto-like form. Published as a book and printed on a t-shirt, the hope is that these ideas are shared widely and publicly to start a dialogue on what kind change is needed for a more equitable and plural art world. 

Contributors
Jessica Bebenek
Aaron D'Mello
Jason Dai
Lea Hamilton
Jasmine Shaw
Beth Shepherd
Jason Skilz
Victoria Solan
Aysha White
Benjamin Woo


Editor
Melanie Yugo

Publisher
Possible Worlds

Publication Date
2025

Size
5.5 x 8.25 inches 
18 pages

Binding
Softcover, saddle-stitched